NAKO ILISO is an African Consulting Engineering and Project Management firm that specialises in engineering, environmental and project management services.
Established in 1995, NAKO ILISO is widely recognised as one of the most professionally managed consulting engineering firms in Africa today, with a team of directors and senior executives who are experts in their chosen fields. Each member of this formidable team offers a range of combined experience in their areas of specialty. In addition, NAKO ILISO has over 250 highly competent technical and support staff, all working together to deliver sustainable high quality assets that not only meet but also exceed client expectations.
In 2014, NAKO ILISO entered into a long-term partnership with NAKO LBE and NAKO TRIOCON to form the NAKO Group, the first African owned, multi-disciplinary consulting engineering group.
Thanks to a clear vision, a commitment to living its values and above all, its outstanding people, the reputation associated with the NAKO ILISO name is that of integrity, innovation, quality and service excellence.
VISION
To be a significant brand and great company, trusted by their industry and loved by their employees.
MISSION
To contribute to and prosper by the development of Africa’s infrastructure, to ensure a better future.
NAKO ILISO’s core purpose and mission is to provide a full range of high quality innovative, appropriate, cost effective and sustainable engineering solutions that satisfy the needs of its clients and the communities it serves. The company’s directors and staff strive to use their expertise to make a meaningful contribution to the eradication of poverty and improve the quality of life for the people of the African continent.
This is NAKO ILISO’s professional commitment and its imperative towards the realisation of the African Renaissance.
In order to achieve its vision and mission, the company:
OWNERSHIP
Since its establishment, the founding members of NAKO ILISO have elected that shareholding within the company will reflect its philosophy. The NAKO ILISO philosophy is to be known as an independent professional practice, owned and managed entirely by engineers and technologists who demonstrate exceptional competence, professionalism, honesty and integrity.
NAKO ILISO is 100%-owned by engineers who work for the company on a full-time basis and more than 95% of its shareholding is held by black individuals.
MANAGEMENT
NAKO ILISO is managed by its board, comprising of nine executive and two non-executive members with equal voting power. The Board is responsible for all statutory functions relating to the company, including: strategy, goals, policies and overall leadership.
The day-to-day management of the company’s operations has been delegated to various executive directors, technical directors and executive managers.
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
NAKO ILISO is committed to the development and advancement of each and every one of its employees, regardless of race, gender or disability. NAKO ILISO has created a work environment that is free of discrimination and where individuals may develop to their full potential.
MENTORSHIP & TRAINING
NAKO ILISO has always maintained that it is imperative for the company to achieve excellence in all of its business activities and remain at the forefront of technology and engineering ingenuity. To this end, ongoing coaching, mentoring and training form an integral part of the NAKO ILISO Human Resources Development Programme. Within this Programme NAKO ILISO offers its employees vertical job enrichment, career planning and career advancement opportunities. In addition, NAKO ILISO offers Bursary Schemes to learners from disadvantaged communities, by providing significant career opportunities to learners and contributing to the future of engineering excellence in South Africa.
SKILLS TRANSFER
NAKO ILISO is committed to the transfer of skills to current and potential employees, which result in a contribution to the continued growth and development of the consulting engineering industry in Africa. NAKO ILISO is committed to a number of formal on-the-job training and mentorship programmes, which are facilitated by its highly experienced consulting engineers.
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
In its quest to create a better living environment for all Africans, NAKO ILISO remains committed to the development of SMMEs and SMEs by making use of their services as suppliers or to assist with projects whenever additional resources are required.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
NAKO ILISO facilitates a number of social responsibility projects that contribute to the communities in which it operates. These include the company’s annual participation in Nelson Mandela Day and its annual Job Shadow initiative. This initiative represents NAKO ILISO’s way of giving back to the development of the Industry. School learners between grades 10 and 12, from disadvantaged schools, who excel in Maths and Science, are given the opportunity to spend a “day in the life of an engineer”. The objective of this initiative is to encourage learners to consider engineering as a career of choice. This initiative also assists NAKO ILISO in earmarking potential learners for its annual bursary scheme.
